Dr. Monica Unda Gutierrez

Biography

Monica Unda Gutierrez is an Associate Professor of Political Science specializing in International Relations at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. Her academic journey includes a previous faculty position at El Colegio de México. Her research primarily explores the intersections of municipal finance, political economy, taxation, and fiscal policy, with a focus on Mexico. Dr. Unda’s current research agenda examines the ramifications of decentralization reforms from the late 20th century and the challenges municipal governments face in effectively managing budgets to provide essential services to their citizens. A notable aspect of her work investigates the institutional capacities of municipalities and the role of electoral competition in fiscal decision-making. She has published significant findings elucidating the connections between property tax collection and local institutional frameworks, emphasizing how political factors can influence fiscal policy outcomes. Her ongoing projects include a comprehensive analysis of public revenue and expenditure in Mexico's largest urban municipalities, evaluating the responsiveness of local governments to citizens amid electoral pressures. Dr. Unda aims to contribute to the understanding of tax reform phenomena in the 20th and 21st centuries, utilizing archival research and building historical datasets on tax collection.

Research Interests